Post navigation

Wishin’ and Hopin’

June 8, 2014

First recorded by Dionne Warwick (FRA #39 1963).
Also recorded by The (UK) Eagles (1964).
Hit versions by The Merseybeats (UK #13 1964), Dusty Springfield (US #6 1964).

From the wiki: “Wishin’ and Hopin” was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, and was first recorded by Dionne Warwick as the B-side of her 1963 single ‘This Empty Place’ and for her debut album, Presenting Dionne Warwick. The single charted only in France, peaking at #39, but it was the recording Dusty Springfield heard and which prompted her to complete her own version in 1964. The track was included on Springfield’s solo album debuts in the UK (A Girl Called Dusty) and the US (Stay Awhile/I Only Want to Be with You). It was Bacharach himself who encouraged Dusty, who was ambivalent, to release her recording as a single.

“Despite not being a UK hit single for Springfield, ‘Wishin’ and Hopin” was strongly identified with her in the UK public consciousness: she performed the song with The Merseybeats on a 1964 episode of Ready Steady Go!. On the program’s “Sound of Motown” edition broadcast in 1965, which Springfield hosted, the only one of her own songs she performed was ‘Wishin’ and Hopin” with the vocal accompaniment of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

“Two UK bands covered ‘Wishin’ and Hopin” in 1964: The Eagles (not the California, USA, group), to no chart impact, and The Merseybeats whose version peaked at #13 on the UK Singles Chart and whose previous, inaugural single had been another song from the Presenting Dionne Warwick album: ‘It’s Love That Really Counts’.”

Post navigation

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.